I was quite pleased to be able to watch 5 games yesteday. Got to see some of the leagues most talented players...it was a very good day !
I watched the Pistons def the Bulls. I am not sure getting Iverson was the right move, but Detroit's defense looks great. Lots of shot blocking going on.
I don't think keeping Billups would have gotten them past the elite teams in the East ( Celtics, Cavs, and Magic ). I think they just wanted to 'shake it up' for one more run. Also, after this year, when Iverson's contract is up I believe, it will free up 20M against the cap...not bad, huh ?
The NBA probably hopes that Lebron and another superstar (e.g. Bosh, Wade, Stoudemire) move to New York in 2010, so there can be a Lakers/Knicks finals. The two largest cities (and sports markets) in America battling it out for a title would equal huge ratings and merchandise sales.
Power Rankings 12/28/08 1: Cavs 2: Lakers 3: Celtics (They would be in the # 2 sliz-ot if they hadn't lost 2x in a row) 4: Orlando 5: Spurs
He ain't goin nowhere. If (somehow, someway) down the line, the Cavs win a title, then why would we want to leave a contending team? Isn't that like going from rags to riches, and then back to rags?
Good point. He has a better shot at winning a title with the Cavs than he does with the Knicks or Nets. It's about winning, not about spotlight. And it's not like he's unknown outside of Northeast Ohio. He's already global
You're right- he's definitely not a stranger to the rest of the world. I think D'Antoni's offense would be great for a player like Lebron. He's a juggernaut in the open court, and the "7 seconds or less" offense could mask his average/below average shooting. He could run the 1 if need be (just to be safe, I'd get a young, pass-first point guard). I honestly don't see him winning with the Cavs now. The Magic are going to be a major threat and so are the Trailblazers. Hell, even Atlanta is shaping up nicely. I think Daniel Gibson should try to go to NY with him, too.
So the Nuggets beat the Celtics by 10 a few days ago and tonight the Lakers beat the Nuggest by 17. Lakers had 106 in the 3rd quarter. I think the team is lookin ready for the title if they keep this up.
Despite what has happened so far this season, i still remain convinced that the Lakers are the team to beat. Andrew Bynum has been bringing the heat so far, even though he's been playing a better part of this season at 85-90% healthy. In the playoffs, he should be fully fit, and with him at C, Pau at #4, Odom at SF, Kobe and Farmar at the guard spots, they'll rip up the West Coast. If somehow the Cavs make the Celts crumble - which is much likelier than it was even 6 months ago - the Lakers will probably win it all. They honestly deserved to win last year, and even though they collapsed when it mattered the most, i think this unit will learn from their mistakes and the entire debacle will serve as a turning point for them.
So the Celtics have lost 4 out of the last 6 games they've played. Lakers have won the last 6 since their loss by 3 pts in Orlando. :smt045
Big game for the Celtics on Friday in Cleveland. Dex216 let's put a beer on that playboy. I got the Celtics coming into yur hiz-ouse to smash... Lakers seem to be getting better and better....
Ilgauskus will be out for a month, so the Celts will likely take it. The Cavs record is deceptive because they've mostly played sub-.500 teams for the season. They'll take a bigger hit in the loss category with Z recovering from his injury.